Another Thought

When I first started writing this blog I thought it would mainly be about my Mom and about Alzheimer's. As it turns out Care Giving is really what it is about. It is also about my struggles to do the right thing and still have a life of my own, as well as my parent's struggles to live the end of their lives with grace and dignity.


I should know that sometimes a piece of writing takes on a life of its own. How many times have I started a sermon with one thought in mind to find out I have been led in a different direction entirely? And so it is with this.


Dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's and my dad's health concerns gives me a lot to think about as far as my own life and how I have or have not taken care of myself. It, as they say, gives me pause.


So today I took a time out and walked down to the river to pray. (and yes that is the title of a song by Alison Krause from the movie  O Brother Where Art Thou? And yes, I did sing it while I sat there.


I also sang:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,when sorrows like sea billows roll;  
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

(And the horses didn't seem to mind...)

It was a beautiful fall day in the seventies and this was my view from the rivers edge.


They did notice me at first, but the water and the grass were much more interesting to them than me.


The water was calm even though the wind was blowing. It was so nice to just sit and relax.

For those of you who worry that I don't take time for myself, here is proof that at least for an hour and a half today- I did. And it was wonderful.

 

Updates on Dad

Dad's mini-stroke was determined to be a mini-stroke and not a TIA- because according to his doctors -a TIA lasts for 10 minutes or less and Dad's lasted at least a half an hour. That's not what it says on the Mayo Clinic website, but if that's the terminology they wish to use, then that's okay with me. I am thinking mini-stroke may be more accurate because to me it seems there are residual effects from the incident. His personality seems to have changed slightly, understanding and quick response seems to have diminished. Perhaps its just because I see him all the time and when he is different, it stands out.


Dad came home on Monday afternoon the 18th. He was started on Coumadin/Warfarin. I know this is very common and there were a LOT of questions why Dad hasn't been on this before. He had a stroke in the late 90's and he has had major heart surgery. Whatever the reasoning, he is on it now. They want his INR to be between 2-3.

We were worried about this because he seems to have issues with clotting, and he bruises very easily, but the INR test done in the hospital was only 1.1 and the test done the the 20th and 22nd were 1.2 and 1.4- so he has a way to go before he hits the desired 2-3.

On Sunday, the 17th, Urology was brought in for a consult because he wasn't fully voiding. The urologist talked about putting him on a "shrinker and relaxer" for his prostate.He said he had to see if the hospital had it because it is so new and is a combo of Flomax and Avadart. To make a long story shorter, he forgot to prescribe it and there were NO NOTES in his medical records to even show this particular doctor saw my dad. My daughter was there when the doc came in and knew him from a surgery my grandson had. So, we finally got the prescription and have found out this is SO new the pharmacies around here have to order it. It will not be available until Monday afternoon. It is also so new it is not listed on the http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ website.

My daughter asked Dad how he was feeling about what happened. Dad said it reminds him of his favorite song by Frank Sinatra-  My Way



Dad has always loved the song- but his emphasis now is on the first line. "And now the end is near; and so I face the final curtain."

I don't know if that is true. I don't know if the end is near; but if he feels that way, it might delay in his getting better.

Not an easy subject to discuss and made even harder because it is nearly impossible to get Dad alone long enough for a good discussion.

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Lots of things to think and pray about.